Jackson Wine Estates STONESTREET Sauvignon Blanc Alexander Valley

J. Stonestreet & Sons Vineyard & Winery began in the autumn of 1989 when Jess Jackson purchased a small vineyard and winery in the rolling hills bordering southern Alexander Valley. He named the winery in honor of his late father, Jess Stonestreet Jackson, and dedicated it to the task of handcrafting wines using traditional methods while showcasing modern techniques. Stonestreet quickly garnered international acclaim for powerful red and luscious white wines. Following this early success, Jess Jackson acquired the nearby Alexander Mountain Estate in 1995 and focused Stonestreet on mountain wines, particularly the Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, in addition to small amounts of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from older vineyards on the mountain. Christopher’s Cabernet Sauvignon illustrates the colour and flavour intensity of Alexander Mountain Estate fruit. Vineyards for this Christopher’s Cabernet Sauvignon are 2,400 feet above sea level. Lean, rocky, and well-draining soil and cooler temperatures have lower yields and produce smaller grape clusters and berries. This smaller fruit contains deep, vivid color and rich, rewarding flavour. The resulting wine is deep and concentrated displaying rich varietal characteristics of dark berry and cassis with hints of spice and chocolate on the nose. (6 x 75 cl)

J. Stonestreet & Sons Vineyard & Winery began in the autumn of 1989 when Jess Jackson purchased a small vineyard and winery in the rolling hills bordering southern Alexander Valley. He named the winery in honor of his late father, Jess Stonestreet Jackson, and dedicated it to the task of handcrafting wines using traditional methods while showcasing modern techniques. Stonestreet quickly garnered international acclaim for powerful red and luscious white wines. Following this early success, Jess Jackson acquired the nearby Alexander Mountain Estate in 1995 and focused Stonestreet on mountain wines, particularly the Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, in addition to small amounts of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from older vineyards on the mountain. Retaining the intense mountain flavours and colour from mountain fruit demands special care. A pre-fermentation cold-soak extracted fruit flavours while minimising tannin extraction. Separate lots were then fermented at warm temperatures with either native or cultured yeast for a total of about three weeks total skin contact time. Ageing was done in thin-stave French oak barrels, coopered to Stonestreet's specifications. This served to further integrate tannins and fruit while maintaining a balanced structure. A regimen of quarterly racking with light aeration and egg white fining naturally clarified the wine and further developed the nuanced complexity and supple tannins. This wine is well-balanced with a particularly lush mid-palate and dark ruby-purple colour. An elegant structure supports layers of spicy blackberry/cassis fruit along with hints of chocolate and coffee. (12 x 75 cl)

Jackson Wine Estates HIGHLAND ESTATES Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley from USA, California, Alexander Valley by Jackson Wine Estates Powerful Reds (6 x 75 cl)

Established in 1989 Legacy is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from selected blocks in Alexander Mountain Estate vineyards. Legacy selected five lots of wine from the estate vineyards in the eastern mountains and hills enclosing the southern end of the Alexander Valley. Elevation holds the key to this wine’s combination of boldness and elegance with more than 80% of the grapes used to make this wine grown at elevations of at least 2,000 feet. Most of the Cabernet Sauvignon was chosen from selected blocks planted at 2,400 feet on Alexander Mountain Estate. Higher altitude creates its own climate, different from the vineyards planted on the valley floor. Even on the warmest summer days, the cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean twenty miles away can be felt. Soils, too, are significantly different, on the mountain, the soil is thin, rocky and gravelly, this helps produce fruit that is complex, rich as well as concentrated. To complement the powerful fruit only small, thin-staved French oak barrels are used to age this wine for 16 months. The resulting wine is supple, with flavours of cedar, black currant and dark chocolate. Look also for hints of smoky toastiness and concentrated black cherries. (12 x 75 cl)

Part of Jackson Wine Estates the fruit for this wine is sourced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards. Anakota is a collection of single vineyard, single varietal, Knights Valley appellation wines that personify the rustic elegance and spirit of rural Sonoma County. Situated on the flanks and foothills of Mount St. Helena the Helena Dakota Vineyard is brought to life as stressed vines struggle with rhyolite soils and challenging climatic conditions to create small, intensely flavored berries. After ageing 14 months in 100% new French oak barrels this Cabernet Sauvignon single varital wine is considered by Winemaker Pierre Seillan to be: 'A vibrant, dark ruby colour of this wine is followed by a vivacious cherry and violet nose. The fruit-forward flavors begin with red berry enhanced by a slight hint of wood. Helena Dakota's powerful fruit flavour continues to unfold, with black fruit and a note of cedar. The impressive structure of this wine, coupled with soft tannins, lends to a long, refined finish.' (6 x 75 cl)

Thomas Peffer Atalon Winemaker considered: 'The Mountain Estates Merlot captures the bold expression of fruit farmed on mountain vineyard sites. The mountain mesoclimate, created by higher altitude, steep terrain and rocky soils, restricts vine growth and naturally limits vigor. As a result the vines yield fewer berry clusters which are smaller in size with thick skins and boast saturated, intense flavours. 'This a serious Merlot that offers extreme drinking pleasure. It exhibits aromas of black fruit with mineral and smoky cedar spice notes. Rich and intense, the wine is framed by sturdy yet balanced tannins, lush viscosity and flavours of chocolate, black fruit and cherries with a hint of ripe plum in the background.' Part of Jackson Wine Estates Atalon has emerged on the wine scene with a provenance firmly rooted in the Napa Valley. The soul of the Atalon story is a ghost winery dating back to 1888. Built by General W.S. Keyes, the white-stone building atop Howell Mountain claims a stake in Napa Valley viticultural lore. At the turn of the twentieth century, General Keyes was producing wines considered to be among the best in Napa County from this old landmark. From the 1970's the Cabernet Sauvignon vines surrounding the winery helped to establish the reputation of several boutique Napa wineries, including Liparita, Duckhorn and La Jota. In 1996 the famed Howell Mountain property was renamed the Keyes Vineyard in honor of the early farmer's pioneering viticultural contributions. Today, the historic ghost winery stands as a strong reminder of a 150-year old tradition of growing wine grapes within the thirty-mile stretch of the Napa Valley frontier. In 1997, Atalon was created to revive the vineyard's past accomplishments and to build on the area's reputation for producing remarkable red wines. Although inspired by ghosts long gone, Atalon wines reflect a modern understanding of farming Napa's rugged mountains and valleys for the most balanced and expressive wines. To integrate the diverse flavors found throughout the Napa Valley, the wines take us beyond the ridges of Howell Mountain into the broader domain of neighboring appellations. Atalon wines are a comprehensive exploration of the Napa Valley appellation. Drawing fruit from selected vineyards, the wines are a composite of vineyards stretching from the rolling hills of Napa-Carneros in the south to the peaks of Howell Mountain in the north. Atalon is dedicated to the true essence and flavor of the Napa Valley, a distinction defined by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Vineyards are chosen for proven quality from the best known districts known to grow high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, including Oakville, Rutherford, Mount Veeder, Atlas Peak, Napa Carneros and Howell Mountain. Atalon produces two tiers of wine: a Napa Valley designated Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and a Mountain Estate designated Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Napa Valley wines are packed with ripe, opulent fruit, gentle tannins and rich textures long associated with the Napa Valley. The Mountain Estate wines are focused expressions of mountain fruit (12 x 75 cl)

Thomas Peffer Atalon Winemaker considered: 'This wine is expressive of what Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon can be at its best. A juicy core of fruit floods the mouth, laden with ripe cherries, dark plums, peppery herbs and blackberry. Blending from select vineyard blocks in the valley’s middle corridor offers a pleasing blend of supple tannins from Oakville and Rutherford. Darker fruit flavours, richness and bigger, chalkier tannins are from our sites in the Howell Mountain and Stagecoach vineyards along the Vaca mountain range. French oak adds delicate spice and vanilla.' Part of Jackson Wine Estates Atalon has emerged on the wine scene with a provenance firmly rooted in the Napa Valley. The soul of the Atalon story is a ghost winery dating back to 1888. Built by General W.S. Keyes, the white-stone building atop Howell Mountain claims a stake in Napa Valley viticultural lore. At the turn of the twentieth century, General Keyes was producing wines considered to be among the best in Napa County from this old landmark. From the 1970's the Cabernet Sauvignon vines surrounding the winery helped to establish the reputation of several boutique Napa wineries, including Liparita, Duckhorn and La Jota. In 1996 the famed Howell Mountain property was renamed the Keyes Vineyard in honor of the early farmer's pioneering viticultural contributions. Today, the historic ghost winery stands as a strong reminder of a 150-year old tradition of growing wine grapes within the thirty-mile stretch of the Napa Valley frontier. In 1997, Atalon was created to revive the vineyard's past accomplishments and to build on the area's reputation for producing remarkable red wines. Although inspired by ghosts long gone, Atalon wines reflect a modern understanding of farming Napa's rugged mountains and valleys for the most balanced and expressive wines. To integrate the diverse flavors found throughout the Napa Valley, the wines take us beyond the ridges of Howell Mountain into the broader domain of neighboring appellations. Atalon wines are a comprehensive exploration of the Napa Valley appellation. Drawing fruit from selected vineyards, the wines are a composite of vineyards stretching from the rolling hills of Napa-Carneros in the south to the peaks of Howell Mountain in the north. Atalon is dedicated to the true essence and flavor of the Napa Valley, a distinction defined by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Vineyards are chosen for proven quality from the best known districts known to grow high quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, including Oakville, Rutherford, Mount Veeder, Atlas Peak, Napa Carneros and Howell Mountain. Atalon produces two tiers of wine: a Napa Valley designated Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and a Mountain Estate designated Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The Napa Valley wines are packed with ripe, opulent fruit, gentle tannins and rich textures long associated with the Napa Valley. The Mountain Estate wines are focused expressions of mountain fruit (12 x 75 cl)

This is winemaking at its best, huge ripe fruit is expertly handled here to ensure that it doesn't dominate, and the balance and sublime flavours are testament to a restrained and elegant style with a blockbuster finish. (12 x 75 cl)

From the Jackson Wine Estates comes the Pepi range of wines. The Pepi Winery is an innovator and pioneer in the quality production of Italian varietals in California. Well-known for crafting the quintessential California Sangiovese, stellar Sauvignon Blanc, and crisp Pinot Grigio it also produces highly-acclaimed Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. Innovative and stylish the 'four surf board logo' is a representation of this range of wines. Committed to using environmentally sound vineyard practices along with an unpretentious style of winemaking the aim is to create everyday wines with intensity and focus. 100% Sauvignon Blanc this wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel, while Winemaker Pat Pickett considered: 'Pleasant Sauvignon aromas of grapefruit and melon are evident on this light bodied but elegant wine with crisp acidity.' (12 x 75 cl)